Rain Reign is a much lauded recent book by noted children's author Ann M. Martin. It tells the story of Rose, a young girl with what is described as "high functioning autism."

The book has been praised by critics and earned piles of awards. But here at AANE we wanted to know if Rain Reign rang true to a young person who has Asperger's (AS), so we turned to blog contributor, Mia J. Salaz. Here's what she had to say.

The purpose of this piece is to share my experiences as a child with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). For those of you who don’t know what AS is, it is a condition that some people are born with. People with AS are usually incredibly smart and have creative, perceptive minds. Aspies (people with AS) usually have a few special interests that can get pretty intense. Sometimes, Aspies have a hard time discussing topics other than their special interests. AS can also impact how one functions in various social situations. More often than not, Aspies have a hard time coping with loud noises and bright lights. It can also be hard for Aspies to decipher the difference between a strict and a malicious tone of voice. Because of all of the challenges Aspies face, it can be hard for us to make friends or interact with other people. With the help of my family, friends, doctors, and teachers, I am learning how to not only cope, but thrive, with Asperger’s Syndrome. I have been asked several questions about life with AS over the years, and I will now attempt to try and answer some of them.